[SvilleKid]

I grew up using a Farmall Cub on a small hobby farm of my father, purchased more for a place for my Grandmother to live than for farming. Several decades old when Dad purchased it. Served us well for a decade, then he sold it for more than he paid for it when he sold the farm.

I currently have a Kubota model L275 (1982 or 3?)I use for my small patch and for hunting club duties. 27.5 horsepower is plenty strong, especially coming from the three cylinder diesel! If you go with a diesel, spring for one with a pre-heater. Sure makes it easier to crank (I've never had to use the compression release with the pre-heater!). The one drawback to my particular tractor is that the previous owner used it mainly for yard duty, so it has turf tires that don't "bite" too well when I'm trying to disc or plow.

Wish it had a front loader bucket, but I really don't have the true need necessary to justify the added cost. 4WD is a definite positive if the tractor has a front loader. I've used a buddy's large John Deere with a bucket, field tires and 2WD; difficult to scoop up compacted dirt without spinning, even with field tires!

A good tractor is one that can take years of heavy use, and still keep running that's why there are still tons of old Ford 8N's still working out there. Don't get sucked into one of the cheap import knock-offs; they don't have proven staying power.